A member whose PGWP had expired (extension refused) received an OINP expression-of-interest invitation and asked whether a nomination letter would let them get an open work permit immediately.
What the thread clarified:
- A nomination letter does not authorize work. Receiving an OINP nomination (or NOI/EOI approval) does not by itself make you eligible for a work permit.
- BOWP requires a submitted PR application. To apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit you must first submit your federal Express Entry PR application and hold the Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR). Members corrected earlier misinformation in the thread on exactly this point: nomination → EE PR application → AOR → then BOWP.
- Valid status matters. One member noted (secondhand) that you are expected to hold valid status/work authorization when the nomination process concludes — the applicant here had fallen out of worker status and had applied for restoration as a visitor, which limits options.
- Beyond that, options are limited. Apart from an LMIA-backed employer-specific permit, the thread offered no other route to restore worker status in this situation.
Caution: this synthesizes community understanding from a 2024 thread; individual situations involving lost status are high-stakes, so verify with IRCC or a licensed consultant.